Yorkshire's Ryan Sidebottom with Caroline Richardson of sponsors Plusnet, and mascots from many of the partner charities, at the launch of the Yorkshire Marathon 2015.Picture Scott Merrylees SM1006/51a

Bowler Ryan - a key member of the Yorkshire team that carried off the County Championship for the first time in 13 years - launched the event at the club’s famous Headingley Stadium, as the scramble for places in the hugely popular marathon got under way on January 5.

Boasting a largely flat and scenic course taking in country lanes, villages and many of York’s historic landmarks, the race has quickly established itself as a highlight on the county’s sporting calendar.

It was a sell out in 2013 - the year the event was first held - and all 7,000 places for the 2014 were also quickly snapped up.

Places were today made available to people who had registered their details on a pre-sale list. Places go on general sale on Wednesday 7th January.